Thatcher Open to State Funeral

Plans are underway to honor former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher with a state funeral when she dies. The Iron Lady, who led her country during the 1982 Falklands War, has apparently made clear she does not want a military fly-by or the public to file past her coffin, London’s Daily Mail reported.

The Baroness Thatcher, 86, has been in ill health in recent years, suffering several strokes. Details of her funeral arrangements are to be discussed at a cabinet meeting this week. The British Parliament would have to approve of designating the affair a state funeral. It Parliament did not, it was be classified as a ceremonial funeral, akin to the one held for Princess Diana, the paper reported.

The funeral, which would be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral and preceded with a procession from Westminster Hall, would likely draw a host of dignitaries including the Queen, Nancy Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev.

Previous funerals of prime ministers have been modest affairs. However, Winston Churchill received a state funeral after lying in state in Westminster Hall, the Mail reported.